چیست نام و پیشه و اوصاف او ** تا بگویم مرثیه ز الطاف او
What is his name and profession and character? (Tell me) in order that I may compose an elegy on his gracious qualities.
مرثیه سازم که مرد شاعرم ** تا ازینجا برگ و لالنگی برم
I will make an elegy—for I am a poet—that I may carry away from here some provision and morsels of food.”
آن یکی گفتش که هی دیوانه‌ای ** تو نه‌ای شیعه عدو خانه‌ای
“Eh,” said one (of them), “are you mad? You are not a Shí‘ite, you are an enemy of the (Holy) Family.
روز عاشوار نمی‌دانی که هست ** ماتم جانی که از قرنی بهست 790
Don't you know that the Day of ‘Áshúrá is (a day of) mourning for a single soul that is more excellent than a (whole) generation?
پیش مومن کی بود این غصه خوار ** قدر عشق گوش عشق گوشوار
How should this anguish (tragedy) be lightly esteemed by the true believer? Love for the ear-ring is in proportion to love for the ear.
پیش مومن ماتم آن پاک‌روح ** شهره‌تر باشد ز صد طوفان نوح
In the true believer's view the mourning for that pure spirit is more celebrated than a hundred Floods of Noah.”
نکته گفتن آن شاعر جهت طعن شیعه حلب
The poet's subtle discourse in criticism of the Shí‘ites of Aleppo.
گفت آری لیک کو دور یزید ** کی بدست این غم چه دیر اینجا رسید
“Yes,” said he; “but where (in relation to our time) is the epoch of Yazíd? When did this grievous tragedy occur? How late has (the news of) it arrived here!
چشم کوران آن خسارت را بدید ** گوش کران آن حکایت را شنید
The eyes of the blind have seen that loss, the ears of the deaf have heard that story.
خفته بودستید تا اکنون شما ** که کنون جامه دریدیت از عزا 795
Have ye been asleep till now, that (only) now ye have rent your garments in mourning?
پس عزا بر خود کنید ای خفتگان ** زانک بد مرگیست این خواب گران
Then, O sleepers, mourn for yourselves, for this heavy slumber is an evil death.